Myself and DJ Adams organised a Google User Group recently on SEO techniques and the use of Google Keyword searches. Whilst some of what was discussed was aimed at Web Site layout, a lot of what we learned can be used to help get your SCN Blog Posts up the Google rankings. This will also improve the visibility of your blog and the total number of readers you get. As in Jason Lax’s SCN Blog Update on New SCN Results in Google it is now more important to be conscious of SEO when writing blogs. We would like to thank Katrina Gallagher from award winning SEO Agency PushOn for taking the time to share some of her knowledge with us at the Google User Group meeting.
Katrina told us that Search Engines algorithmically rank web pages based on authority and relevance to the search query being entered. Factors used to determine which pages are ranked higher than others are Code, Content, Connections and Conversion. Whilst we do not have much control over the code behind our blogs, we do have an influence on the other areas. Here are some tips for writing “Search Friendly” content.
On Site Optimisation:
There are a number of “On page” signals that Google or other search engines look for when visiting a web page:
Content: Make sure your content is relevant and uses Keywords connected to the subject. For example if you are blogging on SAP HANA also refer to IMDB or In Memory Database within your blog. You are writing for people not search engines but it is still important to know how pages are indexed. Content that is regularly updated or commented on will also score higher than content that remains static.
Page Titles: It may sound obvious but the Headline Title of your blog page is very important so it needs to contain the Keywords relevant to the actual subject content.
Structure: It has been suggested that content in the earlier parts of a page is ranked higher than at the end and some people suggest writing conclusions first. For SCN Blogs it may be more appropriate to write your synopsis, what you are going to be talking about or your argument first.
Internal Linking: Links to relevant web sites connected to the subject will always help in a page’s ranking. Use Anchor Text rather than a raw URL as the text is indexed as well as the URL behind the text.
Off Site Optimisation:
Although you can get some quick wins with the search engines by following the on site optimisation, external links or back links are judged as being one of the most important contributing factors for SEO.
If you write an interesting blog, get the link out on Twitter, Google+, Facebook and LinkedIn. If you run your own personal blog then write a paragraph on the subject and include a link to your SCN Blog. Ask friends or associates to include the link in their own web content or better still, people will find your content useful and link from their own sites without being asked.
It is important not to get distracted by this and stop writing for people and writing for “robots”. Remember, content is key. If you have an interesting subject and write your blog well using the tips above the rest will take care of itself. People will comment, others will post the link in Social Media and your blog will increase up the Search Engine rankings.
